СМЕРШ («Смерть шпионам!») · 1943–1946

SMERSH

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SMERSH was the Soviet military counter-intelligence agency created in April 1943 to conduct counter-espionage and political surveillance within the Red Army during the Second World War. Its name, coined by Stalin, is a portmanteau of 'Death to Spies!' (Smert' shpionam!), and it operated as three independent bodies under the Defence Commissariat, Navy Commissariat, and NKVD, all overseen by Viktor Abakumov. It suppressed desertion, self-inflicted wounds, and anti-Soviet activity behind the front, 'filtered' returning POWs, and was dissolved in May 1946 when its functions were absorbed by the MGB.

Related people

Viktor Abakumov

Related historical events

Sources

  1. Wikipedia (EN) SMERSH was an umbrella organization for three independent counter-intelligence agencies in the Red Army, formed in late 1942 and officially announced 14 April 1943; the name was coined by Stalin as a portmanteau of 'Smert' shpionam' (Death to spies); headed by Viktor Abakumov; officially discontinued 4 May 1946 when duties transferred to MGB.
  2. Wikipedia (RU) Сокращение от «Смерть шпионам!». Создано 19 апреля 1943 года на базе Управления особых отделов НКВД. Три независимые структуры: ГУКР «Смерш» НКО (Абакумов), УКР «Смерш» НКВМФ (Гладков), ОКР «Смерш» НКВД (Юхимович). Задачи: борьба со шпионажем, антисоветскими элементами, дезертирством, фильтрация военнопленных.
  3. globalsecurity.org SMERSH (Smert Shpionam — Death to Spies) was the Chief Counterintelligence Directorate of the People's Commissariat of Defence, formed by Stalin out of NKVD counterintelligence elements in April 1943 and placed under his direct control. In Stalin's approved version the word 'foreign' had been eliminated from the original proposal, so the target became spies foreign and domestic.
  4. theconversation.com SMERSH was responsible for the identification and death of approximately 30,000 German 'spies' within the Red Army and arrested at least 594,000 Soviet soldiers; it was also a vitally important instrument of political repression among the civilian population near the front.
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